Monthly Archives: January 2009

These two are adorable . . . and really really ridiculously good-looking. (Do I get extra points for using a Zoolander quote?!)

Suzie and Ed are just a joy to be around. They both have super-crazy-cool jobs, too. Suzie is an anesthesia nurse (which is a big and very important job, fyi) and Ed is a flight nurse (which is also big and super huge) and I think they’re my heroes. Ed is also in the Air Force Reserve, which is why he’s donning the oh-so-handsome uniform you’ll see at the end of their sesh. Love these guys!

First of all – I want to humbly thank all of you out there that stop by my blog to see what’s going on with us . . . what a blessing it is to know that people are intersted in our lives and our photography. I cannot tell you what a huge encouragement it is to receive your comments and to know that you’re out there checking on us! Thank you so much!

Normally I try to keep things fun and light around here . . . and I almost always try and include some intersting pictures with each post. I’ve hesitated in changing things up a bit because I don’t want to be like Debbie Downer, but I cannot deny where my heart is right now and I think that to hide it from you would be ingenuous and that’s something I’ve never wanted to be. I will always continue to share all of our wonderful weddings and portrait sessions and funny little tid-bits about our lives, but there’s something else I’ve been itching to do here on the blog.

Lately I’ve been finding myself overcome by a desire to live a life that serves the needs of others. I feel like I’ve been a person of great intentions with really poor follow-through for a very long time. Somehow recently I’ve felt really inspired to actually WALK my heart’s talk. I’m still not sure what shape it will take, but I have a few ideas. Anyway, I wanted to tell you guys about this because I’m thinking I’m going to share my journey towards trying to live a more service-oriented life here on the blog. I’m not sure what that will entail, but I’ll probably do a few posts about volunteer and giving opportunities that I find interesting. There is one thing I want to make clear, though: I would hate to think that you would get the impression that I was trying to “show off” or toot my own horn for doing something “good” by sharing these things with you. I actually feel quite the opposite . . . I am embarrassed to admit to you the time I’ve wasted with my great intentions and I am hoping to make a change for the better by choosing differently. Please know that I am sincerely wanting to do this because I feel like it’s where I am right now and I don’t want to act like it’s not.

So, having written all of that, I want to start with one very small step in this direction. Something that really pulls on my heart is poverty and hunger. I just absolutely hate that it exists and I cannot understand why there are people who don’t have the food they need. It kills me. And there’s no reason I cannot buy a few cans of food every time I go to the grocery store and donate them. See – I told you it was a small step . . . but it’s more than I’ve been doing, so I guess it’s something.

May I ask you to join me in this?

Even if you can only buy one can per trip, maybe we could all try and commit to whatever we’re able to do. And then maybe each of you can ask each of your friends to do this, too. I think I’m going to sit and think about how much I want to purchase each time and just do it. This may not be the thing for you and that’s totally fine! I’ve just always been more of a “team” person and it seems like when I’m doing something with a group it’s always more fun! 🙂 I’d love it if you’d let me know if you’ll join my team! We don’t even have to have practices or uniforms or drink Gatorade or anything! 🙂 Just having an itty bitty desire to give is good enough.

Thanks so much for being a friend of my blog. It means so much. Here’s hoping that we will continue to grow out of our selves and into the world each day. – Stacy

Do you know that feeling you get when you’re on the verge of tears . . . that lump in the throat, tingly eyes, heart-pounding sensation? I feel like I was in that state from the beginning to the end of Will and Lindsay’s beautiful wedding day. Words really cannot express what a moving day it was. From how tenderly they love one another to the way they genuinely value family, everything was so right and lovely.

A few interesting facts about the day:

– Lindsay has an identical twin sister, Ashley. These two probably cried a river together over the course of the day, which did not help my aforementioned condition. They are the best of friends and observing their relationship is a gift.

– Though it was the dead of winter, it was about 80 degrees outside. Thank you, mother Texas.

– I paid very close attention throughout the day and I don’t think Will ever took his eyes off of Lindsay. It was the sweetest thing. He is the best guy.

– Linds and Will’s reception was held at The Headliner’s Club in downtown Austin and I’m pretty sure that if I wasn’t married to Stan, I would marry this venue. 🙂 It is so much fun to shoot in – you’ll see why!

– Stan and I were truly inspired by shooting this wedding. It was the perfect first wedding of the year . . . and if it’s any indication of things to come this year, we will be tremendously fortunate.

Let me share some favorite pictures from their day. 🙂

Can you tell that Linds was excited about marrying Will? Such a sweetheart!

This was where I got pretty choked up. Will’s mom was handing Lindsay her bouquet, but before she would let go, she looked Lindsay in the eyes and told her that she was the most beautiful bride she had ever seen. Oh, was a gift it is to witness these moments!

I wish you knew Will and could see how huge his heart is . . . he’s wonderful!

Lindsay and Will opted to see one another before their ceremony. This was a huge decision for them because they had always thought they would do the more traditional first sight with her walking down the isle, but once they realized that it would be dark after their ceremony and the time for great portraits would be more limited if they waited to see one another, they made the decision to have their special moment beforehand. After their “first sight” moment they told us about a hundred times how thankful they were that they made that decision and how much better it made the whole day. Yay!

Showtime!

LOVE this shot that Stan got of Linds and her daddy waiting to walk in.

Ceremony held at the beautiful St. David’s Episcopal Church. Special thanks to Roxanne for being such a super sweet & wonderful church-coordinator-lady! 🙂

Party time! On to the reception!

I’m not sure what this lady was telling them as they were announced into the reception, but – Will and Linds – if I were you, I’d listen to her! 🙂

What do Stan and I do with our time on the rare occasion that we have a Saturday off? Why, we power-wash the bejesus out of our house, of course! 🙂 And let me just tell you – it was SUCH a great feeling to get it done! We had been talking about how much we needed to power-wash our driveway and back porch for years (literally) and just now have gotten around to it! The great thing about power-washing is that it just makes you feel so darn good when you get to see all the nasty dirt blasted away instantly! It’s strangely therapeutic! 🙂 Anyway, Stan decided we should take pictures towards the end because both of us were covered in mud from head to toe! Our neighbors must have thought we were crazy!

Isn’t it amazing the difference between the clean concrete and the dirty stuff? So awesome!!

Look at what a little love bug I have on my hands! How romantic! 🙂

Oh, and I loved this self-portrait we took. Nice. Wrong lens + tired dirty people = who cares. 🙂

And I feel SO lucky to be their photographer! Celina and Jake are the parents of a little chihuahua named Baby, who is engaged to be married to our Buddy. We are so excited that he finally found the one! And as for Celina and Jake . . . we’re glad they each found the one, too! 🙂